The Opelousas courier., 1887-04-16

and rapidly growing place, aud bids fair to
be- in few years, city of no inconsiderable
Importance 1t is advautageously located
and enjoys large trade from vast extent OF
territory. Its market is we'll supplied with
game from the praires and With flsb from the
many lakes iu its vicinity. II has tw" tine
steam fire engines and a we'll organized ire
department. It's people are genial, cultured,
promising towns Of the State. 1t lies within
eiS miles of Jeffersops famous island aud
lake aud within niue miles OF Avery's Salt
Mine and Island, With which it Is eonpected
by rail, The mine is one OF the won.
ders of that section 1t is solid
eubterrauean monutaip ot rock salt of the
purest quality, into which shaft descends to
!. depth Of l5O feet, where tho visitor is CON
dueted through vast afchways OF spar6ltng
rock salt, which miners are constantly Gu,
Ruged in drilling aud blasting. The puzzled
geoogist ia taxed to the utmost ln imaglnlpg
altheory for this deposit, and the ordinary
mortal more seDsibiy cuts the aord'an knot
by saving, "itis mystery
Tue island il as much mystery as the
mine, bur the speculative scientist attributes
it's creation to some volcanic disturbance
Whatever may be its origin, it rises above
the level Of the gulf to height of about two
hundred feet aud covers An area OF several
miles. The soil of the island is very rich, and
grows sugar caue and the cereals On it,
crest is the residence OF the bospitabie pro
entertaining friends aud visitors. The view
from the summit OF the islaud is indescribably
grand, The broad prairie extending beyond
| the reach of the eye; tue twin formation, jet
fersous Island, distant about six miles tue
| marsh ribbed by numerous bayouS and la
poops; the blue waters OF the gulf. aud Marsh
| Island, IA narrow strip ot woodland Ill the dis
tance are some of tbs sceues 10 inapresses mp
| on memory.
| A ride of twelve miles farther down the
/ N,-T Tt,aps fn
cite, a thriving town OF twelve hundred IN
habitants which has sprung into existence III
| the last few years. Jeaueretle has two e8teD'
siye lumber mills, an ice factory. u central su,
gar nianufactory and refinery, and several
other enterprises. 1t has number OF we'll
stocked stores churches, schools, hotels. etc.
aud whole soued aDd go-abead population,
who have lately ta8ec themselves to secure a
! railroad to Abbevile, on Bayou Verniillion.
| The completion of this road will be of incslcu-
| liable advantage to both places.
Twelve miles beyond, also on the Ieche aud
| the Morgan railroad, lies tue substantial town
Of Franklin. the whiiOm seaport OF the Ieche
| Despite the development ut other towns adJa-
cent, Franklin has grown 10 be place OF
twenty-five huudred inhubitauts. II has lost
none of it's attractiveuess. 1t has elegant
residences, stores, churches. hotels and ii
handsome courthouse. Its maiu thorought"re
is broad aud shady and the sidewalks dre
sheller' The yards ale we'll kept aud thrte
are hnwers i'll abundance GU all sides. frahk
liz is indeed. bright aud lovely place, peo
pied hy an 'utclliSe"t aud cultured popu's-
tion. =,
! The rlaulatIoiis uear trauklln are III excel
lieut. order ard shaw uunleIous tlgus OF tIllli
aud good infringement. hummer OF ttelI
are owned lip Northern capitalists. who have
beeu drawn tLither by the attractions aud ter
tilty of the banks uf the famous 1eche. e1T
cral places are worked by white laboiers
whose families are quarlered Ill cosy cottagrs